Meet the Maker

Meet the Maker

From the Bench at TurningByrd Pen Studio
Hi, I’m Keith Byrd — founder, artist, and proud hands behind every pen that leaves the TurningByrd studio.

I’ve always had sawdust in my veins. My love for woodworking started back in high school when I signed up for every shop class I could find. Even back then, there was something incredibly satisfying about shaping raw material into something useful and beautiful. That love only grew stronger over the years.

A turning point (pun fully intended) came when I was gifted a set of antique lathe tools — some dating back to the 1800s — from a generous woodworker who worked at Universal Studios. I was hooked. The craftsmanship in those old tools sparked something in me. I dove into the art of woodturning, experimenting with everything from exotic woods to antler and resin, each material teaching me something new.

Then one day in 2010, my son asked me to make him a pen — not just any pen, but one from a piece of “family story wood.” I turned it on the lathe, and when I saw the finished pen in his hand, something clicked. That one small gesture launched what is now TurningByrd Pen Studio.

What I Do

Every pen I make is custom-turned by me, one at a time, with patience, care, and a whole lot of love for the craft. No automation, no mass production — just old-school attention to detail. I work with everything from exotic woods to custom cast resins, and I specialize in creating pens from materials that hold personal meaning. I’ve made pens from:

• Grandpa’s old tool handle
• The stairs in Grandma’s house
• A backyard tree struck by lightning
• The antler from a son’s first buck

If it means something to you, it means something to me.

I keep over 100 types of wood in the shop at any given time and also cast my own resin blanks. I work with antlers and horn from Whitetail deer, Axis deer, Red Stag, Dall Sheep, Musk Ox, and more — even a Hippopotamus tooth once! (Yes, really.) The idea is simple: I want every customer to walk away with something personal, practical, and priceless.

Why I Do It

There’s a quiet kind of joy in this work. I love discovering the grain in a piece of wood or the curve in an antler and figuring out how to honor it in pen form. I get excited when someone emails me with an idea for a gift, or sends a keepsake to turn into a pen. To me, every pen tells a story — your story — and I’m just the guy helping bring it to life.

I also take pride in making pens that don’t just look great, but write great too. Whether it’s a classic twist ballpoint, a luxury rollerball, or a bespoke fountain pen, I make sure the fit, finish, and feel are just right. If it’s not up to my standards, it doesn’t ship. My name’s on every order — and my name means something to me.

A Note to You

If you’re new here, welcome. If you’re a return customer — thank you. I work with collectors, gift givers, writers, companies, and outdoorsmen. I treat every customer the same, no matter the order size or style. You’re trusting me with something meaningful, and I take that seriously.

Whether you're after a pen that tells a story, a gift that stands out, or a functional work of art for everyday writing, I’d love to help you find the right piece. And if you’ve got a piece of your own material — wood, antler, metal, or anything else — let’s talk. We can turn it into something unforgettable.

Thanks for stopping by,
Keith Byrd
TurningByrd Pen Studio
Where every pen has a purpose — and a story worth telling.